Pan Am Plunder

Pan Am is and was a great show.  According to “TV By The Numbers” this show is cancelled, but it I believe that the season is still worth watching.  Honestly I am confused as to if this show is cancelled, will be cancelled, or won’t be cancelled. Regardless, this show is brilliant.  It was quite sad to see Pan Am ratings go from 11 million to 3 million.  With the success of “Mad Men” it was thought that Pan Am would receive high praise and big numbers in ratings.  What fell flat after the first couple episodes?  The show had elements of drama and romance as well as mystery and suspense.  I honestly think that the show was too much for people to take in.  So much happened in each episode that I could see that it was confusing for people and a little bit unbelievable.  I think it’s discouraging to think that people don’t have enough brain function to keep up with intriguing plots and characters, but can certainly keep up with the Kardashians.  And I’m not trying to offend any ‘Kardashians’ fans but I’m just saying that you need to keep your sources of entertainment.  Like with food, you wouldn’t eat beef jerky and potato chips all month; sometimes it’s good to consume a well prepared steak and puréed potatoes.

            Pan Am is definitely an ensemble piece.  One of the characters of the show is depicted by Christina Ricci who I used to watch as Wednesday Addams in “The Adams Family.”  I was used to her playing deranged and slightly insane characters so it was actually kind of amazing to see her playing a confident and intelligent female character.  I think that the depiction of females in this show could have attracted viewers, but at the same time it could have pushed some away.  I suppose many people see the Pan Am “stewardesses” as one of the roadblocks in the women’s rights movement.  In my personal opinion, I believe that the writers tried to show the strength and intelligence that these flight attendants possessed.  Looking past their position as Pan Am stewardesses, these female characters out smart as well as physically fight the antagonists of this show.  All of the characters have depth and intelligence.  The point is that this show is more than an aesthetic spectacle. It has some of the most interesting and complex characters that have been on television in the past decade. 

            As I am writing this now, I am now certain that this show has been cancelled.  The season finale premièred last night and it certain presented a lot of material in an hour of television.  It certainly was entertaining.  At times it felt like an epic romance.  At other times, it felt like a Government thriller mystery.  Having all of these elements may have brought this show to its demise, but I say that it was the shows best quality.  This show is a great twist on previous television dramas.  It was stolen from primetime networks too soon, in my opinion.  Even though this show is not returning for a second season, it is definitely worth checking out and I hope to see more shows like it in the future of television.